I have ridden both kites the XR2 has a higher wind range and is more versatile in gusty winds great for blasting along and race boards still good for jumping but needs to be well powered up to get big jumps

The GTS 2 definitely has more bottom end so more suitable for wave riding -big air and heavier riders but you can always change kites sooner if you are a light weight

Both kites are really different to each other which makes sense to me

Core normally change kite designs every 2 years so don’t think you will see an XR3 this year probably 2014
Hope this helps

I do not agree about the low end of XR2 VS GTS2 The GTS2 is a bridled C kite that turn faster, better for kiteloop and freestyle but the bottom end is better on the XR2/3 for sure because the XR2/3 kite have a higher projected area for the same size. I think that an XR2/3 11m for example have at least the same low bottom end then a GTS2 12m would have.

I should be able to test the new XR3 pretty soon if we can get some wind here!

I have had some time riding both the XR2 and the GTS 2 15m and 11m for me the GTS 2 is better in waves with more bottom end than
The XR2 17m / 13.3m / 10m / 8m but in gusty winds and for more speed the XR2 is better
So it would depend on the conditions you ride in, which would be good for you
I haven’t had a go on the XR3 so I cannot comment on it yet.

I have been on every core kite except the original Riot and combat. I have been on the XR2 9 and 10m, since it first came out and I have been on the GTS2 9m and 10m and own all 4 kites.

Some have made some weird observational differences between the XR2 and the GTS2 which I would like to correct. I have been on these kites in all kinds of wind.

Both kites have the same lowend, but the xr2 generates apparent wind much faster and has a smoother feeling in it's power delivery, plus the XR2 will be doing fun big jumps sooner. the XR 2 has better high end and much more stable on the high end and will remain stable in turbulent gusty conditions. the GTS2 generates incredible power much like a conventional C kite and has incredible explosive lift with high jumping potential in consistant laminar wind. However, the GTS2 is going to be the kite that unhooks and pops like zit, it is a very aggressive kite that turns fast and kiteloops very very well!!! And when this baby loops all you here is that beautiful woooop through the air, it never flaps. the GTS2 is drift machine; and when surfing in onshore conditions this is the ticket as it is just so stable and will not fall out of the sky. I have come down a wave right at it with no line tension and it just clicked into auto pilot and drifts perfect and when it caught line tension again it didn't surge and jerk me. I had the 9m GTS2 out in 22-37mph wind and was not overpowered at 83 kg, but the gusty wind conditions made this kite very jittery. I could have been on a 6m. the XR2 on the other hand is unphased by gusty wind and is definately the kite to have if that is the kind of wind you are usuallly in. Both kites are so good. it just boils down to what you like to do and the type of conditions you kite in most. they both really do fit the all around catagory, it just comes down to riding style and conditions you ride in. the XR2 has a wider sweet spot.